April 11, 2017

In Class Lesson: Looking at Crime from Sociological Perspectives

Crime: 
Young college man killed his mother during an epileptic seizure. He was ruled not guilty and is being examined by a psychiatrist for mental health and possible institutionalization. He is asking for his mother's life insurance policy, even though he killed her. 

Conflict Perspective Notes:

• makes you wonder if he feels guilty and if he thinks his actions were unjust?
• some people commit crime for money
• mental health can be used as a excuse for deviant behavior...the justice system seems to favor people with mental illness
• how can you properly give consequences with something as unpredictable and uncertain as health conditions?
• do we have all the information to handle this crime fairly?
• justice system favors young, white, males, which is likely why he never served prison time

Labeling Perspective Notes:

• he is a young male--he is developing and likely to make mistakes because he is young
• he looks innocent, so he couldn't have meant it...his picture makes him "seem like a good kid"
• he is middle class, white, and in college--couldn't have had a deviant motive
• mental illness causes bad decision making--he wasn't thinking clearly so it can't be his fault

In class activity: 

In chapter 7, there are 6 types of crimes defined. Define each type and find a real-life, current event example of each type of crime.

If you did not finish this in class, turn it in next class. You are expected to finish this assignment!

HOMEWORK DUE FRIDAY (T/F) or MONDAY (M/TH): chapter 11 reader response